Not What It Seems
Chapter 14

The next day seemed to go along like any other. Vudu had gone early to the tavern to help them out while I went on my rounds around the town. I told him I would meet him there at the end of the day. For some reason, I had a feeling that something different would happen today, and I didn’t know if it was a bad or good thing.

Once the day had finished, I walked directly to the tavern. I was looking forward to seeing Vudu for some reason, and I felt something had changed in him last night. He had never shown that sort of affection towards me. It confused me, but at the same time, I didn’t feel uncomfortable with it.

I made it to the tavern and the first thing I saw was Bella holding on to Vudu with all her strength. He tried to pull away multiple times, but it seemed that words and his previous actions would never get her to back off. I let out a low growl as I walked over and grabbed Bella by the shoulder, turning her to look at me.

“Bella, Vudu has made it abundantly clear that he is not interested in you.” I said in a strong voice. “So, back off.”

“You can’t do anything to make me. You’re a useless mage who can only light up a room.” She retorted back at me. “In fact, if you weren’t here, I’m certain he would come with me. I want you to give him to me.”

My jaw dropped. Did she really just say what I thought she said. “You want me to give him to you?”

“Yes.”

He’s standing right next to you, idiot. I thought. “Bella, do you understand how wrong that is?”

She shrugged. “I see nothing wrong with it. You’re the reason he won’t take me. And I want him, so give him to me.”

I rubbed my eyes. “Bella… One, he is not mine to give. Vudu is his own person and free to do whatever he wants. Two, I’m certain he wouldn’t go with you in the first place because he doesn’t like you. And three, you need to get off your high horse and see that this world doesn’t revolve around you. Get over it and understand that Vudu will never be yours.”

She glared at me. “You have no right to talk to me like that you Blotch.”

Before I could do anything to respond, Vudu’s hand shot out and grabbed Bella by the arm. He glared down at her and dragged her outside. I followed in fear that he could hurt her. Though I didn’t like Bella, I didn’t want her hurt. That would actually cause more problems for us in the end.

“Vudu, what are you doing?” I called out to him.

He dragged Bella to a private area in the alley behind the Tavern and released her as he responded. “Hubris.”

He turned towards Bella with a smile. She didn’t hesitate to smile back. “Vudu, you know you’ve been wanting this for a while. Stop playing hard to get.”

He walked towards her with a hand on his hip. “Bella, do you know the definition of hubris?”

“I still feel like Zeriah made that up and you’re just playing along.” She said while crossing her arms.

“Hubris, definition: excessive pride or self-confidence.” He explained while walking closer. “Often writers use hubris to cause the downfall of someone within the story. And this is yours.”

His eyes changed and glowed red on that last line. The magic that made his human form faded and his true demonic look. Bella’s face fell and true fear entered her eyes. She had not expected this from the one she had been chasing for the last while. This would end her pursuit of Vudu.

“Tell me, my dear Bella.” Vudu asked with poison in his voice. “Do you still want to be with me after this?”

She didn’t even answer. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted. Vudu’s arm shot out and caught her before she could hit the ground. Glancing back at me, he gave me a smirk and I returned the smile. That was finally over.

“Well done, little brother.” I hear the voice say as Vudu went stiff. “Very classy, I couldn’t have done it better myself.”

I turned to look where the voice came from and out of the shadows came a new individual to the town. I suspected it was Ripper. He grinned at me and I shuttered at the aura he presented. He looked a lot like Vudu, except the black fog like material that moved around his skin was more intense and the skull like face actually filled down to his jaw, where Vudu’s stopped at his lip. I could still see more human like skin on Vudu’s jaw.

Rippers constantly glowing red eyes glanced over me. He smirked and walked over to assess me like a prize. He circled me and rubbed his chin with his hand. At the time I was wishing I had my staff to be ready to fight him if I needed too. Vudu stayed close, in case he needed to jump in, but he remained motionless.

“An interesting companion you keep, little brother.” Ripper stated as he stopped next to him. “I can certainly see why you stay close by.”

“Ripper…” Vudu called but was ignored.

“I do wonder though,” Ripper turned to his brother. “Why haven’t you brought her home yet?”

I kept my eyes on the two, listening carefully to the conversation that had a different meaning to the words they were actually stating.

“She didn’t want to leave,” Vudu replied. “So, I decided to stay around for a while.”

Ripper let out a chuckle. “I can see she’s a pretty girl by human standards. Definitely a unique type of human.”

“She does a lot to help her town.” Vudu countered. “I’m glad that I can be around when she needs me.”

Ripper paused and smiled at Vudu. Walking up to him he leaned into his ear and whispered something I didn’t catch. But by Vudu’s face, it wasn’t good. Ripper leaned back and smiled. He walked backwards and gave a phony salute before his own human disguise took form. He disappeared from view and left us speechless and confused. I felt that both Vudu and I got our answer on whether we needed to worry about him or not.

“What did he tell you Vudu?” I turned and asked him.

He visibly swallowed and didn’t make eye contact. “He’s not going to leave anytime soon. He’s waiting for the right time to strike.”

I sighed. “Vudu, that whole conversation you had with him had double meanings in the entirety of it. You two were talking about something completely different from what I heard.”

With a glance down at himself, he realized he was still in his demon form and quickly brought up the guise once more. I waited for him to respond, but he almost seemed afraid to tell me what was going on. He carefully placed Bella down against the tavern and looked over at me.

“Not here.” He explained. “It’s not safe.”

I nodded, and with one swift moment, he grabbed my hand and guided me back to my home. He didn’t hesitate to lock the door and draw the curtains. Acting quickly, he also grabbed my staff and handed it to me.

“Place a protection spell on the house, that way Ripper can’t get in.” He instructed.

“What about you?”

He shook his head. “I’m already inside, I’ll be able to enter and exit whenever I need.”

I nodded and did as he asked. There was a moment where the room lit up with light at the magic, but it subsided quickly. Once the spell was complete, Vudu visibly relaxed. His hand went to his face as if he was trying to fight off some form of fatigue. I reached over to him, and he took my hand in his for support. I’d never been this worried about him.

“What’s going on, Vudu?” I finally asked.

His hand moved, and I stared into his eyes. The human form fell, and his eyes stared at me for a moment before he answered.

“There’s no easy way to tell you this Zeriah.” He began. “Ripper and I believe that you are the pure soul he’s looking for.”